The Do-It-Yourselfer

I
spotted this modified Honda Civic in Mississauga. The bulged fenders looked
homemade, but they had functional intake and outlet ducts, which are designed
to push cooling air over the brakes of a high-performance car as it’s pushed to
its limits on a racetrack. Not sure if they’re really needed on a stock Civic on
Hurontario St.

Christopher Wood

The Duct Tape Special

The
shots I posted of rolling wrecks on I-75 last week seem to have resonated with
readers who have sent me their own finds. Here’s one from Christopher Wood, who
spotted this duct-taped ride in Toronto, near Lawrence Avenue East and the Don Valley
Parkway. The duct tape gives it a certain lived-in look.

Lorne Koop

Backyard Engineering At Its Finest

Reader Lorne Koop spotted this on I-98
near Pensacola, Florida. Looks like the driver taped in a solid sheet of
Plexiglas to replace his broken window, then rigged a flip-up vent so he can
let in fresh air, pay tolls or flip out cigarette butts. Way cheaper than Speedy Auto Glass!

And If You’ve Got More Than One Roll of Tape…..

Since we’re looking at duct tape
repairs, I had to pull this one out of my files. I shot this a couple of
summers ago while driving back from Manhattan with my wife and some friends. We
followed this guy for a while, mesmerized by the flapping and billowing of the
plastic sheeting, wondering if the tape would hold. Against all odds, it did.

Danielle Boudreau

The Silence of the Lambos

My friend and editor Danielle Boudreau
noticed these Lamborghinis on Spadina Ave. in Toronto. They looked great.
Unfortunately, the one in the back stalled when the light turned green, ruining
the effect.

The Italian Job

My
friend Piero Manzini always has something different. This is his Fiat Coupe, a car
that was produced between 1993 and 2000.) With scalloped sides, double-bubble
headlights and an interior that conjures up a leather-lined discotheque, the
Coupe is definitely cool, in an oddball way. The Coupe was designed at
Pininfarina by Chris Bangle (who would later create the controversial “Bangle
Butt” for BMW.)

Lost in Translation

“Fiat Lancia Unlimited” sounds great
until you convert it into an acronym and realize that you’re joining the FLU
club. Oh well. The cars are cool. (This decal is on the window of Piero’s Fiat
Coupe.)

Stu Wilson

You Know You’re a Gearhead When….

Reader Stu Wilson of Calgary sent along
some pictures of his excellent garage and car collection, which runs heavily
toward the Mopar (a.k.a. Chrysler) end of the scale. Stu is an engineer in the
oil and gas industry, and as you can see, he’s a meticulous guy. Great garage
setup.

Stu Wilson

The Sleeper

A sleeper is
a car that looks ordinary, but has a surprisingly big engine jammed under the
hood (bootleggers used them to carry illegal liquor and outrun the police). For
example: reader Stu Wilson’s 1962 Dodge Dart. The Dart was a ubiquitous family
ride from the JFK era. Stu’s has sombre paint, plain steel wheels, and a 440-cubic-inch
V8.

Stu Wilson

Muscle Car Redux

Stu
Wilson also sent me this nice photo of his 1970 Plymouth ‘Cuda convertible. This
is one of the cars that defined the Detroit muscle car era, and it still has
real presence.

European Marketing Is Different

I spotted this rent-a-car advertising
display at the Frankfurt airport, but failed to understand why it might make me
want to rent a car. It probably helps them sell the upgraded insurance option,
though.

Breaker, Breaker, Good Buddy

For some reason, I thought CB radios
died with the 1970s (an era that was partially defined by C.W. McCall’s radio
hit song Convoy.) But when I saw this display of new radios at a 401 truck
stop, I realized that truckers are still on the airwaves, watching for Smokeys
and Seat-Covers (look it up.)

Limited Headroom

I saw this cut-down trailer on Highway
401. It looks like it’s designed to reduce aerodynamic drag so it can be towed behind
a small car. I couldn’t tell whether the top pops up when you stop, or whether
you need to be really short to use it.

Ernie Black

A Ferrari That Can Carry a Load of Plywood

My friend Ernie Black (@TheF1Poet)
noticed this and sent it along. You were expecting a gun rack or fishing rods
in the back window of an F-150 pickup, right? Have a glass of Chablis and think
again.

Greg Veilleux

What Jeeps Are Really Meant To Do

My photos of driving off road in my
friend’s Jeep last week reminded Alberta reader Greg Veilleux of a trip he took
with his brother – they drove a Jeep up the Baru volcano in Panama to scout a
site for a transmission tower. It took them four and half hours to go 13
kilometres.

Greg Veilleux

You Can Bolt on Whatever You Want

Like me, Greg Veilleux was amazed at
what the Jeep could do off road. His looks like it was outfitted with axles
from a larger vehicle – off-road Jeep builders are known for their creativity!

Greg Veilleux

Feel Free to Put Your Feet on the Dash

There’s nothing more liberating than a
well-worn car. This is the Jeep that Greg and his brother took up the volcano
in Panama. It has a certain patina.

When Business Names Go Wrong

I spotted this truck during trip through
Pennsylvania a while back. Until I read the third line, I wasn’t sure what
business they were in. Hard to know what impact the company name has on the
bottom line.

The Road Warrior

My wife and I noticed this Nissan in
Chattanooga. Looks like the owner decided to tear off the damaged rear fascia,
then bolted the license plate onto the aluminum impact beam underneath. Very
Mad Maxish.

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